Its highly doubtful we get a better or equal replacement. Dawson was ESPN's top guard, and #7 to Rivals. Most of the other top lineman are already locked up or looking elsewhere. The only one I could us landing this late that would be an upgrade is Dorian Johnson, but that's a real long shot.

About his tweet then I'm a little peeved at him for saying stuff like that. I feel sorry about his father but does he really think Florida gives a rats ass about him! At Michigan he could of been a Legend! Florida just churns out the O line Men year after year, huge mistake by him imo!

Sunday starts on the same trajectory as it has been for the last month+. Just need the Lions to lose, the Tigers to lose, and my FFB team to fail miserably to keep pace with the norm as of late.... Sigh.

I immediately thought the same thing. It's unfortunate to lose a kid of his caliber especially since it seemed like he had strong relationships with a lot of other recruits. Wish him the best of luck and move on to filling his spot with another great player like Pocic. Pocic's older brother plays on Illinois so he most likely watched us dominate yesterday. He was high on UM before the line filled up so quickly. He would be a great addition, but if we can't get him it looks like the trifecta of McQuay, Green, and Treadwell is back in play.

We all know Hoke is against our committed recruits looking elsewhere, but what's his stance on recruiting kids that are committed elsewhere? Trying to flip a kid would seem like a bit of a hypocritical stance.

Seriously. How many other recent recruits from Cass Tech with Michigan offers haven't gone to Michigan? I can't think of one other than Dior Mathis. It's ridiculous to say that we've lost that pipeline.

when I read somewhere (likely mgoblog) that the head coach at Cass was attempting (or at least obliging/entertaining a request) to "spread the wealth" a little bit with respect to other college programs (namely MSU, if memory serves). I have few (none) particulars, but I was afraid that may be an ominous tell... obviously don't know if it played a role here, but it may weaken the pipeline.

This indeed sucks, but no one is irreplaceable. We await the next great oline recruit...

And former RB Thomas Wilcher who played for Bo in the 80s stated that he hopes to send more recruits MSU's way; therefore, the "pipeline" may not be what it once was. Talk of "breaking down the Big Blue Wall" at Cass Tech has increased the last couple of years.

I just read that Freep article. Coach obviously wants to send as many kids to college on scholarship as possible. Cass Tech has a lot of prospects, including some Michigan won't have room for (esp. if Hoke continues pulling in classes ranked in the top 5). Building a relationship with every school is on his agenda. What's he supposed to say, that he's diappointed D. Finley isn't going to Michigan when he didn't get a scholarship offer? That kids like Deon Drake, Kenton Gibbs, etc. should walk on at Michigan and take out student loans (if they can get accepted academically)?

Also read carefully because that second quote in the article is from Finley not Coach Wilcher:

"It's not like that," Finley said. "It's never been like that. Most of our best guys do end up at U-M, but I believe this can change things. I feel like me going to MSU might open up some doors. More guys might look at MSU, and MSU might recruit more of our guys."

Obviously kids within a year of each other might have interest in playing in college together, but generally I think these "pipelines" are more recruiting spin than anything else. I mean, Farmington Hills Harrison was supposed to be an MSU pipeline, but that didn't stop Funchess and Ojemudia from coming to Michigan (thank goodness).

"I hope to send more recruits Western Michigan's way" would you have had any reaction at all?

His job is not to be an illegal recruiter for Michigan, but to win football games and mold young men. And along the way if he can get as many of them as possible a free education by playing football, he's going to try and do that. That means sending as much of his team as can get offers to college programs. The really good ones to Michigan, Florida, etc. The next tier of guys who aren't getting offers from them to Iowa, Northwestern, and yes, MSU, as the other instate program. And then guys to Western, Eastern, Toledo, etc. And hopefully some guys to places like Grand Valley State. Almost all of whom, including that top tier, aren't going to be professional players, and are going to get a free education out of it.

That's what he's supposed to do, and I'd be disappointed in him if did like certain other coaches did, and steer players to or away from a place. He doesn't need to push every player he has to go to Michigan. First, only a very few of them are going to be good enough for Michigan to be interested in. Second, he doesn't need to overtly act on it; he lives it every day.

I didn't say what he is supposed to do, what he should do, what would be right to do, or what he is obliged to do. Nor did I address what kind of person he is, a judgment far removed from any of my business. The strenght of the well-known "pipeline" or "Blue Wall" that exists at Cass Tech was questioned and I pointed out the Freep article. I didn't write the thing. As a Michigan fan, I was simply expressing that I would like to see the pipeline continue. Perhaps "F'd" up was a bit strong; "bummer" seems more appropriate.

So, it is a bummer to hear that the pipeline running from Cass Tech to Michigan may not be so strong as it once was, per quotes in the Freep, and indeed other places. The author insinuated as much; I reacted to it.

Conley is ESPN's #61 overall recruit. Dawson is #87. So at least in TomVH's ESPN world, Conley would definitely be a bigger loss than Dawson. Losing either would really suck, and losing both would awful.